Coronavirus, Police Reform And More: Fairfield Candidates Debate

FAIRFIELD, CT — The fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, police reform and infrastructure improvements were among the topics debated last week by Fairfield’s candidates for the Connecticut General Assembly.

Originally scheduled to be filmed in-person Oct. 23, the League of Women Voters of Fairfield moved the debate online and instead held it Oct. 26 — just over a week before the Nov. 3 election — after two participants were potentially exposed to the coronavirus.

Candidates for the 28th Senatorial District, 133rd House District and 134th House District faced off in brief, one-on-one debates.

There was no debate for the 132nd House District. Due to a family health issue, Republican state Rep. Brian Farnen was unable to take on Democrat challenger Jennifer Leeper.

Each pair in attendance was asked about the pandemic in some capacity.

“We can no longer look at tax and spend as a continuum of putting pressure on people who are struggling already,” state Sen. Tony Hwang, a Republican, said in response to a question about how to compensate for declining revenue and rising expenses as a result of the virus.

Hwang’s opponent, Democrat Michelle McCabe, in her response noted the influx of people moving to Connecticut.

“Our tax revenues are up at this moment in time,” she said, adding the state should be considering how best to invest in residents and businesses moving forward.

When asked how the government should support those who have lost jobs as a result of the pandemic, state Rep. Laura Devlin, a Republican representing the 134th House District, called for a business-friendly approach, and noted mortgage relief and rent assistance are available. Democrat challenger Carla Volpe advocated for health care accessibility and job training programs.

In response to a question about how she would make decisions about the virus after the governor’s executive orders expire, Democrat state Rep. Cristin McCarthy Vahey, of the 133rd House District, prioritized reliance on health experts. Her opponent, Joanne Romano-Csonka, a Republican, said she would consider how to protect children, the elderly and first responders from the virus.

“We have to be very careful of opening up places and not wearing masks,” Romano-Csonka said.

When asked about the police accountability bill passed over the summer, McCabe called it “an important first step,” while Hwang said it was “rushed through,” adding that the public safety committee on which he sits never saw the legislation.

McCarthy Vahey referred to a “false choice” between wanting greater equity and supporting the police when she answered a question about how to address issues illuminated by the Black Lives Matter movement.

“Our country has really cried out for a new kind of conversation and really a new way of doing things and new levels of accountability,” she said, adding she supported curriculum changes requiring Black and Puerto Rican studies in schools.

Romano-Csonka spoke in favor of implementing education programs that address discrimination and teach young people about the importance of equality.

When asked about state infrastructure, the Republican candidates criticized the use of transportation funds for projects that were not related to transportation, and backed the use of federal money — instead of tolls — to pay for transportation needs, a sentiment the Democrat candidates did not always share.

“We need to explore tolling as a solution,” McCabe said.

McCarthy Vahey voiced support for investment in broadband and electric transportation, while Volpe prioritized improving Interstates 95, 91 and 84.